Condenser tape tension device



March 6, 1956 G. C- TRUSLOW ETA].

CONDENSER TAPE TENSION DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 31, 1953INVENTORS Grover G. Truslow F I6. I. JOke D. Truslow BY m AT'TORN Y5March 6, 1956 c. T'RUSLOW ETAL 2,736,927

CONDENSER TAPE TENSION DEVICE Filed July 51, 1953 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 p a ia a 'Ezuflll r F l 8. III" Illll 1 I I I 1: I 94 I00 5 96 i Q 5 9a I06PRESSUR E REGULATOR AND ii SUPPLY us FIG? INVENTORS Grover G. TruslowJoke D. Truslow ATTORNEYS March 1956 I 5. c. TRUSLOW ETAL 2,736,927

CONDENSER TAPE TENSION DEVICE Filed July 51. 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TORS 520 1 52 6 Tina a w United States Patent CONDENSER TAPE TENSIGNDEVICE Grover Cleveland Truslow and Jake Douglas Truslow, Leaksville, N.C.

Application July 31, 1953, Serial No. 371,617

12 Claims. (Cl. 19-151) This invention relates to card condensers andparticularly to a condenser tape tension device.

In the process of obtaining spools of thread or roving or roping thereis commonly employed what is referred to as a tape condenser. Suchcondensers utilize a group of tapes for dividing the slivers or webdelivered from a carding machine. As is also well known in the art,carding machines collect the fibers such as rayons, nylons, synthetics,wools, etc. and deliver a fine veil-like collection of such fibers inthe form of a sheet or web. The purpose of the condenser is to break thewebs into roving or roping and wind the broken segments on a spool orcheeser. Once the fibers are wound on the spool they are ready forspinning. The tapes serve to split the web delivered to the condenserinto segments or strands of roving, and deliver it to the aprons whichrub the fibers to form a compact roll. The roving goes directly from theaprons to the spindles or spools.

It is apparent that in order to obtain uniformity in the cloth it isessential that the ropings be maintained as uniformly in weight aspossible. However, it is well known that the weight and quality of thestrands and threads vary considerably and that cloth often consists ofstrands of varying weight. The reason for this is the fact that thetapes which serve to cut the web for the condenser are not tensionedproperly. Under present day practice condenser tapes are tensioned byadjusting one of the roller shafts, usually the top roller shaft. Theroller shaft extends across the frame of the condenser and all the beltsrun on this single roller. When a change in tension of the tapes is tobe made, usually when an increase is necessary, the upper roller ismoved upwardly by adjusting screws positioned on opposite ends of theshaft. If all tapes were of the same length and degree of tension a goodadjustment could be obtained. However, all tapes do not have the samelength or tension for some tapes may be slacker than others.

It is often necessary to stop the whole card production to makeadjustment on individual slack tapes because the adjustment of the upperroller cannot accommodate individual requirements of the individualtapes. Such shutting down does not occur often since it is obviously notdesirable to stop production. Therefore, on many occasions the tapes areallowed to remain in a condition such that there is unevenness in therovings. The tighter tapes get the greater portion of the web and make aheavy delivery while the slack tape is robbed of part of its fiber andmakes a light end delivery. This is known in the trade as a robbing fromone tape to the other. The tight tapes grasp more of the web from thecard than the lightly tensioned tapes. It is an object of this inventionto provide tape tensioning apparatus which eliminates the commonrunning-condition of having tight and loose tapes.

An object of this invention is to provide a tape tensioning arrangementin which tapes are automatically tensioned uniformly. Constant attentionby an operator is not required, ,nor is reliance on the degree oftension obtained from the operators. With an automatic tension 2,736,927Fatented Mar. 6, 1956 regulator for tapes constructed in accordance withour invention, we obtain a uniform weight-per yard of the rovingdelivery, increased production because of reduced need for tape repairs,adjustments, etc., and longer life of the tapes. Longer tape life isobtained becauseof the uniform tension.

Another feature of our invention, which will be seen hereinafter, isthatthe tension on an individual tapecan be released when the lint has beenallowed .to accumulate around the tape rollers, making the rollerslarger in diameter. On the old takesup tape rolls a tape thataccumulates lint is often stretched out of shape and made longer. Such atape will become a slack tape when the lint is removed. With ourinvention, when the lint gathers around the roll, the tension remainsthe same. The tape does not stretch, and when the lint is removed thetape immediately returns to its proper tension and proper position. Thisresults in a considerable saving in time, as well as more uniformroving.

Referring now particularly to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevational schematic View showing the tape tensionregulator constructed in accordance with our invention and showing thetapes commonly employed on tape condensers;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary end elevational view showing a portion of thetape condenser illustrated in Fig. 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view showing tape tensionregulators constructed in accordance with our invention;

Figure 4 is a front elevational view of our new type tension regulator;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing an adjustment means forming apart of our invention;

Figure 6 is an elevational view showing yet another form of tape tensionregulator constructed in accordance with our invention;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view partly in cross section of thetension regulators shown in Fig. 6;

Figure 8 is a top plan view of the regulators of Fig. 6.

Figure 9 is a side elevational view of a tape condenser and yet anotherform of tape tension regulator.

Figure 10 is a front elevational view of the regulator of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary view taken along line 1111 of Figure 10.

Similar reference characters in the several figures indicate similarelements.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, reference character 10indicates a portion of the tape frame of the type commonly used withtape condensers. The tape frame usually serves solely to support thetape rollers and tapes and is separable from the apron frame. As shownat its upper end the tape frame is provided with a horizontal plate 12which extends from one side of frame element 14 to the opposite frameelement, not shown. An axle 16 is supported in a flange portion 18 bymeans of alined apertures 20 provided in each flange. Plate 12 hasspaced vertically extending openings 22 which are generally rectangularin cross section as shown in Fig. 5. A rod or bar 24 is slidinglyreceived in each opening 22. At their lower ends each bar has U-shapedor bifurcated flanges 26 and 30. Shaft 32 is supported at one end inflange 26 and at its other end in flange 30. A take-up roller 34 issupported on shaft 32 by means of bearings. Each take-up roller servesas the upper tension roller for its associated tape 36--37. It is seenthat each take-up roller and bar 24 is independent of the adjacenttake-up rollers and bars. At its upper end each bar 24 is provided witha rack gear 38. Each rack gear can be removably attached to bar 24 bysuitable nuts and bolts or any other convenient arrangement. A spur gear40 is rotatably mounted on axle 16 adjacent each rack 38 and has meshingcontact therewith. The spur gear can be mounted on any suitablebearings, which are not shown. Each spur gear has fixedly attachedthereto a pulley 42 which is also freely rotatable on axle 16. A cableor wire 44 seats in a groove 46 provided in each pulley. One end of thecable is attached to the pulley and the cable is passed around a fewturns. At its opposite or free end each cable is provided with a weight48. The weight 48 constantly urges the rod 24 vertically upward. It isseen by such arrangement that by selection of a proper weight the propertension can always be maintained on each individual tape 36. Asillustrated in Fig. supporting plate -12 can have adjustment screws 50and 52 threadingly mounted therein. Such screws extend inwardly to theopening 22 and together with lock nuts 54 and 56 provide a means foradjusting rack 38 with respect to gear 40. Opening 22 may be madeslightly larger than 24 in order to accommodate such movement as wouldbe necessary in order to so adjust. Also opening 22 may have mountedtherein bearing elements insuring substantially frictionless slidingcontact between rod 24 and the perimeter of opening 22 as well asadjusting screws 50 and 52. As illustrated in Fig. 1 each rod 24 may beprovided with a pawl and ratchet arrangement comprising ratchet teeth 56mounted on rod 24 and pawl 58 rotatably mounted on cross support plate12. It is seen that as rod 24 moves upwardly under the influence ofweight 48 pawl 58 will prevent a sudden loss of tension of the tapeshould for some reason or other weight 48 become detached from cable 44or some other breakage occur.

The adjustment of the tension of the tape is auto matically accomplishedwith the tension arrangement which we have indicated. Each tape of thecondenser is separately and individually adjusted. There is no need toseek a compromise adjustment as is obtained in present condensers.Furthermore, each tape is automatically continuously tensioned to theproper amount. There is no period of optimum adjustment followed by aperiod of slackness as occurs in present condensers, nor is it necessaryto practice the expedient of over-tensioning the tapes so as to permit agreater period of operation between tensioning adjustments.

Figures 6 and 8 illustrate another form of our invention. As illustratedin Fig. 6 support plate extends between the two stands 72, one of whichis not shown, and corresponds to the support plate 12 shown in Fig. 3.In addition an upper support plate 74 extends between the two sideflanges 72. Yet a third frame element 76 overlies support 74 in abuttingrelationship therewith. Frame element 70 is pierced at 78 and supportplate 74 is pierced at 80 to accommodate an operating rod 82. Operatingrod 82 comprises a piston rod and has at its upper end a piston 84having packing rings 86 mounted in a cylinder 88. Cylinder 83 has a baseflange 9t supported on support plate 74 and detachably connected to thecylinder proper 92. An inlet port 94 connected to a supply main 96 byconduit 98 is provided in the side of the cylinder 92. Opening andopening 78 are both of sufiicient size to permit lateral movement of theoperating rod 82. Frame element 76 is provided with openings 100 forreceiving the lower end of the cylinders 88. The openings are largerthan the cylinder laterally of frame element 76 so as to permit lateraladjustment of the cylinders. By adjusting the cylinders laterally theoperating rod 82 is adjusted to its proper position over the taperollers. Cylinders S4 and 88 are adjusted laterally by means of screws102 and lock nuts 1%. The supply main 96 as well as connecting conduits98 can be formed of flexible material such as rubber or plastic andpermit independent adjustment of the various cylinders 83. Operating rod32 is threadingly connected to a pulley support 106 at 108. Tape 116 isshown in position in Figs. 6 and 7. Support plate 70 may have a seriesof flanges 118 mounted thereon adjacent the operating rods 4 82. Theflanges each have a shaft 120 on which is pivotally mounted a pawl 122.Pawl 122 has operating engagement with ratchet 124 mounted in notch 126provided in rod 82. Screws may be used for positioning the ratchet tothe operating rod.

The main 96, conduit 8 and interior of the cylinder below the piston 84are filled with a fluid such as air or hydraulic oil. The fluid ismaintained under pressure which is adjusted to maintain the propertension on tapes 116. Conduit 96 connects to a pressure regulator andfluid supply including pumps indicated at 128. By means of the regulatorand pumps, or other pressure supplying device, the fluid in thecylinders 88 is maintained at the proper pressure. The regulator can beadjusted, as is commonly known, to provide any desired tension. It isthus seen that we have provided an automatic tensioning device forcondenser tapes. Should the tension on one of the tapes 116 start toreduce due to its being stretched the operating rod 82 will moveupwardly and increase the tension to the proper amount.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 9 to ll the upper taperoller 139 is a single cylinder such as is commonly used in tapecondensers. The cylinder is supported at both ends in journals mountedin blocks 132 attached to frame 134.

Frame 134 has vertical legs 136 and flanges 138 at each side or end.Both are suitably braced and connected to the frame proper by means notshown. Axle 140 is supported in stands 142 attached to each flange 138.The axle is fastened in position by set screws 144.

Tension arms 146 each have a boss 148 rotatably mounted on axle 140. Atone end a pulley 150 is rotatably mounted in each arm 146 by means ofaxle 152. Adjacent each boss 148 there is provided a fitting 154comprising a base 156 and a cooperating cover 158. Base 156 is formed toreceive shaft 140 and cover 158 has a slot for spring 16%. Spring 16% isheld against base 156 by nuts 162. Lock nut 164 prevents rotationbetween fitting 154 and shaft 140. Spring 160 can be formed of springwire bent as shown and is tensioned to move arm 146 and roller 150 inthe direction of arrow 166. A lip on the end of spring 160 preventsdisengagement from arm 146. Spring 160 is chosen to give the desiredtension. It is obvious that any degree of proper tension can be obtainedby choosing a proper spring. The functioning of the form of theinvention shown in Figures 9 to 11 is similar to that of the other formsillustrated.

While we have shown and described a preferred form of our invention, itwill be understood that variations in details of form may be madewithout departure from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A tape condenser comprising tapes operable to carry strands from acarding delivery, and means for continuously independently tensioningeach of said tapes with a substantially constant uniform force.

2. A tape condenser comprising tapes operable to carry strands from acarding delivery, and means for continuously individually tensioningeach of said tapes with a constant substantially uniform force duringoperation of said condenser.

3. A tape condenser comprising tapes, and means for continuouslyindividually tensioning said tapes with a constant substantially uniformforce during operation thereof to maintain each of said tapes at aselected tension.

4. In a tape condenser comprising a stand, a series of tapes, uppersupporting rollers for said tapes, each of said upper rollers beingindividually movable with respect to said stand so as to individuallytension said tapes, and means for constantly uniformly exertingindependent forces of substantially the same value on said rollers tocontinuously individually tension said tapes.

5. In a tape condenser comprising a series of tapes adapted to deliverroving, a frame, a plate supported thereon, each of said tapes beingsupported by a roller,

a separate bar connected to each of said rollers and extending throughsaid plate, each of said bars being connected to means constantly urgingthe associated roller to tension its associated tape.

6. In a tape condenser comprising a series of tapes, a frame, rollersmounted on said frame, each of said rollers movably contacting one ofsaid tapes, and separate means connected to said frame for urging eachof said rollers to independently constantly tension its associated tapewith a uniform continuous force.

7. In a tape condenser comprising a series of tapes adapted to deliverroving, a frame, a plate supported on said frame, a series of rollers,each of said rollers supporting one of said tapes, a separate barconnected to each of said rollers and extending through said plate, eachbar being connected to means constantly urging the associated roller totension its associated tape, the last named means comprising a separatepiston connected to each bar, a cylinder surrounding each piston andmeans for constantly exerting a fluid pressure within the cylinders tourge said pistons to tension said tapes.

8. In a tape condenser comprising a stand, a series of tapes, a seriesof supporting rollers for said tapes with each of said rollerssupporting one of said tapes and being individually movable with respectto said stand so as to individually tension said tapes, and means forconstantly uniformly exerting independent forces of substantially thesame value on said rollers to continuously individually tension saidtapes, the last named means comprising a series of hydraulic motors,with each of said rollers having one of said motors connected thereto,and means for constantly exerting a fluid pressure Within said motors tourge said motors to continuously tension said tapes.

9. A tape condenser comprising tapes, means for continuouslyindividually tensioning each of said tapes With a constant substantiallyuniform force during operation thereof to maintain each of said tapes ata selected tension comprising a separate hydraulic motor connected toeach of said tapes, and means for constantly exerting fluid pressurewithin each of said motors to urge said motors to continuouslyindividually tension their associated tapes.

10. In a tape condenser comprising a stand, a series of tapes, a seriesof rollers with each roller supporting one of said tapes and each rollerbeing individually movable with respect to the said stand so as toindividually tension each tape, and means for constantly uniformlyexerting independent forces on said rollers to continuously individuallytension each tape, the last named means comprising a series of Weights,and means for connecting each of said tapes to one of said Weights.

11. A tape condenser comprising tapes, means for continuouslyindividually tensioning each of said tapes with a constant substantiallyuniform force during operation thereof to maintain each of said tapes ata selected tension, the last named means comprising a series of weights,and means for connecting each of said tapes to one of said Weights.

12. A tape condenser comprising tapes, means for continuouslyindividually tensioning each of said tapes Witha constant uniform forceduring operation thereof to maintain each of said tapes at a selectedtension, the last named means comprising a series of pulleys, each ofsaid tapes being reeved over one of said pulleys, and tensioning meansconnected to each of said pulleys urging its connected pulley toconstantly tension the tape associated with the pulley.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS419,426 Dyblie Jan. 14, 1890 668,378 Korth et a1 Feb. 19, 1901 683,968Moskowitz Oct. 8, 1901 1,663,344 Lennard Mar. 20, 1928 1,929,852 ReidOct. 10, 1933 2,221,585 Klein et a1 Nov. 12, 1940 2,279,741 Moss Apr.14, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS 10,182 Germany July 5, 1880 474,480 GreatBritain Nov. 2, 1937 488,518 Germany Feb. 19, 1930 506,210 Great BritainMay 24, 1939

